South Somerset

South Somerset's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population passed 160,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of South Somerset increased by 6.8%, from almost 151,000 to 161,000.

The addition of just over 10,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Somerset was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in South Somerset.

The percentage of households in South Somerset that rented privately increased from 8.8% in 2001 to 13% in 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of South Somerset households that owner their home decreased from 74% to 70%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in South Somerset increased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Somerset, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.0% to 4.8% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Somerset decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Somerset, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in South Somerset working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.0%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in South Somerset decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in South Somerset, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links